Newton cleared from concussion protocol, will play vs. Saints
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been cleared from concussion protocol, as expected, and will play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the team announced.
Head coach Ron Rivera said Friday that he expected Newton to be cleared and available for their division matchup barring a setback.
The 27-year-old missed last week's Monday-night contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 17-14 loss, after suffering a concussion Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. Newton was injured by a hit from Falcons rookie linebacker Deion Jones after he pulled up without noticing the oncoming defender before crossing the goal line on a two-point conversion.
Cam Newton is a brick wall. Jones had a free shot bc Newton wasn't paying attention & he still almost got trucked.. pic.twitter.com/h9vmrIHBk1
— JD Hurd II (@JDejuan2) October 3, 2016
Both the Panthers and Saints have just one win and need another on Sunday to keep any semblance of playoff chances alive.